Jerome Meyer AKA Von D is a master craftsman, well-known for releasing dubstep and bass music since 2009. On an increasingly prolific trajectory since last year, recent 12”s on Infernal Sounds, Trojan Audio and Scotch Bonnet have signaled his renewed focus on dubwise productions. We are proud to say that Von D’s Khaliphonic debut sees him fully committing to reggae and dub – in his words, “going back to my musical roots.”

“Politricks” is a masterwork, cut from the same living rock as the classic Cuss Cuss riddim, a simply huge bass and drum workout that is truly one for the ages. Politricks is an anthem for now, a call to avoid the dead-end of politics-as-usual and a warning to beware of the lies politicians tell to keep themselves in power – full of promises but changing nothing. Von D says that “working with Don Cotti was very natural,” and their easy relationship is audible – the tune fits the vocal like a glove, and Cotti’s instantly-recognizable singjay style gives even more gravitas to an already heavy track. The dub version spools out the saturated echoes even further, and opens up spectral chambers of reverb that shimmer and glow.

“Ygrec” is an equally massive tune, just as compelling if more meditative and mysterious, coming in both one drop and power-steppers mixes for maximum versatility and vibes. Both tunes and their versions feature an incredibly robust, warm, human sound – one that simply can’t come from machines alone – live drums, bass, and kete drum among other instruments maintain the tradition of live musicians in dub – to say nothing of expert desk-based mixing and deployment of live analog effects the way the elders intended. Both tunes dial in at 140 making them perfect for roots and dubstep selectors alike.

Von D got his start as a drummer and engineer outside Paris, in the heady days of original jungle. Early releases on Disfigured Dubz, Hench, Boka, Black Acre and the seminal V Recordings, as well as his reggae-oriented Liquid Wicked project, cemented his reputation. Don Cotti is a prolific producer, DJ and MC with releases stretching back to 2006 on labels as varied as Bass Face, Studio Rockers, and Soul Jazz.

Khaliphonic’s eighth release is an absolutely unique seven track full length LP of beautifully focused outer dubwise excursions by some of our favorite artists. “Sounds From The Well: Collection 1” hauls in a net of captivating left-of-center sound system music rooted in or in some way influenced by the music of the Mediterranean or the Maghreb, the Near East or North Africa. An immersive journey from start to finish, this is one for the headphones as well as the sound system.

ZamZam 19, Alter Echo & E3’s “Nubian Dub” backed with “Warning Dub” was an underground hit that sold out its run of 600 copies almost instantly, and has been in constant demand ever since. It is consistently named as many completists’ top ZamZam release. Championed by selectors as diverse as The Bug, J:Kenzo, Alpha Steppa and Joe Nice, both tunes developed lives of their own, spawning remixes that we are now extremely proud to release as a pair of limited 10”s: Khaliphonic 05 (Nubian Dub Remixes) and 06 (Warning Dub Remixes).

Egoless’ live dubbing of the tunes in his sets early last year morphed into heavyweight remixes of both cuts. His Nubian version is a funkdafied 140-affair with added clave, cyborg saxophone flavor, retooled low-end and a strangely uplifting mood animated by his unique sense of spatial dynamics and movement. ZamZam veteran DJ Madd brings the 85 bpm slow-jungle rockers vibrations with his signature 808 depth drops, spacious synths and tuned tablas anchoring the original atmospherics in a completely different and unexpected riddim matrix.

Raising the visual aesthetic bar once again, in-house design & print master Polygon Press blesses each 10” with a striking, complementary geometric construction, teasing 2 and 3D in and out of each other in a captivatingly original style. Screen printed by hand on heavy chip board jackets.

ZamZam 19, Alter Echo & E3’s “Nubian Dub” backed with “Warning Dub” was an underground hit that sold out its run of 600 copies almost instantly, and has been in constant demand ever since. It is consistently named as many completists’ top ZamZam release. Championed by selectors as diverse as The Bug, J:Kenzo, Alpha Steppa and Joe Nice, both tunes developed lives of their own, spawning remixes that we are now extremely proud to release as a pair of limited 10”s: Khaliphonic 05 (Nubian Dub Remixes) and 06 (Warning Dub Remixes).

Egoless’ live dubbing of the tunes in his sets early last year morphed into heavyweight remixes of both cuts.

Microphone commando Rider Shafique introduces Ishan Sound’s refix, which began life as a special for Ishan, Alter Echo, and E3, but demanded a wider release. A militant steppers of the highest order, a haunting melody floats above the pounding kick and galloping percussion while machine-gun snares cut through the miasmic swirling textures. Egoless’ Warning remix seemingly pitches the entire original tune up an octave to make room for the monstrous, swollen, lurching bass, kick & claps that has become a swaggering anthem that demands multiple reloads wherever he performs it.

Raising the visual aesthetic bar once again, in-house design & print master Polygon Press blesses each 10” with a striking, complementary geometric construction, teasing 2 and 3D in and out of each other in a captivatingly original style. Screen printed by hand on heavy chip board jackets.

ZamZam Sounds presents a truly monumental double album, the third release on our 10”/12”/LP imprint Khaliphonic, in partnership once again with Llorona Records straight out of Colombia.

After last year’s Dub De Gaita 12” pairing Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto with producer Adrian Sherwood, ZamZam and Llorona knew we wanted to continue the partnership by releasing more material from the same incredible sessions that produced the three tracks on the single. The Dub De Gaita Vols II and III double LP is the result, a towering achievement in cumbia, dub, and international musical cross-pollination.

Produced by Adrian Sherwood and Diego Gómez, mixed by Adrian Sherwood at On-U Sound. Mastered by Kevin Metcalfe at Sound Masters UK. Special guests include On-U Sound crew George Oban and Skip McDonald, and the Ital Horns.

Strictly limited to 1000 copies for the world (500 copies to Colombia) – No repress – No digital

Summer of 2014 at Reconstrvct, Brooklyn NY – Ishan Sound was pummeling the capacity crowd with hi-powered steppers, cut after cut on beautiful acetate. Suddenly a huge sonic space opened up with a tune that was like a blast of cool air through the suffocatingly hot room… ZamZam’s E3 was instantly captivated by the track, and knew we had to have it… but first we had to find out what it was!

The tune that had the crowd heaving and rocking in delight was Peaman’s “War” – a legendary dubplate by a mysterious producer, controlled by only a few including Ishan, Kahn and Bristol’s DJ Dad. Massively warm sub-bass, uncompromisingly sparse one drop riddim, sublime horns and pads, and masterful control of reverbs define this understated killer. Powerful in its restraint and minimalism, War touches all the right marks in the frequency spectrum, making it an unforgettable hit with every sound system it’s flexed on.

Khaliphonic 04 offers up the original tune alongside three versions on 12” vinyl. “Horns of War,” an extended saxophone version excursion featuring James Morton soloing on the horn offers up pure, sparkling dubwise jazz like none we’ve ever heard. Two remixes by Bristol producer Rhumius on the B side bring War into steppers territory with a more insistent kick drum and oh-so-sweet fuller horn melodics.

Mastered and cut at wide 33 rpm for maximum bass warmth by Lewis at Stardelta, Devon UK. Limited to 600 copies for the world, no digital, no repress. Design & screen print by Polygon Press.

ZamZam Sounds is proud to present a truly massive release, the first on our new longer- format vinyl label, Khaliphonic, in partnership with Llorona Records (Colombia).

Los Gaiteros de San Jacinto are Colombian cumbia roots icons, legendary in their homeland as guardians of ancient regional musical and cultural traditions. Here they are joined by another legend, On-U Sound founder and dub producer Adrian Sherwood. Alongside Llorona Records ́s Diego Gómez, Sherwood and the band have created an absolutely unique sound that seamlessly blends timeless cumbia rhythms and sonorities with powerfully restrained dub mixing.

It is no exaggeration or hyperbole to call this mystical music, a heart-centered psychogeographical journey from the Caribbean Coast of Colombia through Jamaica and UK dubscapes. The heartbeat rhythms this team explores so deftly unite musical cultures in such a natural way that the sound they produce feels almost inevitable. Vocal exhortations, massed flutes, organic bass and keys, extraordinary volleys of percussion, echo trails, reggae skanks, and truly masterful arrangements and dubbing make this a simply crucial release. Miles beyond most attempts at cross-cultural musical fusion, we guarantee you will be mesmerized by the beauty and power of Dub De Gaita. There is simply nothing else like it.
￼￼
Produced by Adrian Sherwood and Diego Gómez, mixed by Adrian Sherwood at On-U Sound. Assistant Producer: Skip McDonald . Mastered by Kevin Metcalfe at Sound Masters UK.

ZamZam Sounds’ long-format sister-label Khaliphonic is proud to present four massive tunes from the Disciples vaults, with alternate dub versions of all four tunes. Representing both Russ D’s “regal” and “deep space” styles, in a stunning combination offset / screen print jacket…this is truly one for the ages.

Russ says these tunes were made in 1999, “trying some new ideas out” using a Waldorf 4 Pole Filter that he had recently acquired. “The sound was somewhat influenced by the Rhythm & Sound / Tikiman stuff. At the time I was checking them a little… that minimal sound.” What he created
was a small, finite body of work, these four tunes to be exact, that are both of-a-time and feel utterly contemporary 15 years later – deep, driving, focused yet exploratory. In short, powerful UK sound system music that defies easy categorization. His powers are on full display here, charting a course into deepest dubwise territory. According to Russ the titles are roughly translated as “Unite,” “Serious,” and “Arise” but their original language has been lost over the years.

Disciples is one of the true originators of what has come to be known as “UK dub,” producing, remixing, and touring since the mid-80s. The name was bestowed by Jah Shaka in 1986 after Russ and his brother began supplying him exclusive tunes for his Sound. In the early 90’s the Disciples formed its own sound system, Boom Shacka Lacka (BSL), playing alongside the other big UK Sounds of the time, including Iration Steppas, Abashanti and Channel One. BSL ended in 1996, but Russ has carried on with a heavy production and DJ schedule that has taken him all over the world in the decade and a half since.

Limited vinyl – 700 copies for the world – hand screen printed in gold over offset print – No repress – No digital

Because ZamZam Sounds is committed to the 7″ format, Khaliphonic came into existence to release longer format records.